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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Oli Gent

Antoine Dupont set for early rugby return as France boss issues fitness update

Antoine Dupont is set to return to rugby after a long injury lay-off as he joins back up with the France squad ahead of the Autumn Internationals.

The scrum-half ruptured his cruciate ligament against Ireland during the Six Nations back in March, and has been out of action ever since.

The Toulouse No9, who also helped his country win gold in the rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has reportedly been linked with a move away from his home country, having previously criticised the salary restrictions in France’s top flight, the Top 14.

Now, Les Bleus’ boss Fabien Galthie has confirmed his captain will be part of the November training camp, but there is a catch.

While Dupont will join his team-mates back out on the grass at Marcoussis, he will not feature in any of France’s upcoming Test matches.

“He will train with us in the 42 plus one,” Galthie told Sud Ouest.

“You should not ask him for the impossible. Antoine is finishing his rehabilitation and preparing for his return to play. He will participate in training with restraint.”

Dupont has begun ball work once more with his club this week, but he has not participated in heavy contact yet.

In the Autumn Internationals, France take on South Africa, Fiji and Australia, and Dupont will play an important leadership role off the field for those games.

The Top 14 season hits pause during the international period, and Toulouse seemingly have allowed Dupont to travel and train alongside his compatriots.

Ugo Mola, the Toulouse head coach, said: “Each day, we are a little less far from his return.

“Hopefully, we will see him back on the pitch in a little under two months.”

Should Dupont’s comeback trail continue smoothly, that would mean that he would be fit to play in next year’s Six Nations, where he would be set to win his 60th cap for his country.

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